![We Told You So…Again This morning, Sega confirmed Sonic’s return to television next Fall–something we exclusively reported back in June, when one of the new series’s writers spilled the beans […]](http://www.tssznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/sonic_boom_tv_series_header-620x250.jpg "Sega Confirms Sonic Boom TV Series for Fall 2014")
We Told You So…Again
This morning, Sega confirmed Sonic’s return to television next Fall–something we exclusively reported back in June, when one of the new series’s writers spilled the beans during a My Little Pony convention.
The full statement is below, but in brief, we know that the series will be CG and is tentatively titled Sonic Boom. Shadows of character designs can be seen above in our story header. In the US, it will air on Cartoon Network. In France, it will air on Canal J and Gulli, marking distribution similarities quite similar to Sonic Underground in 1998.
The format will be a bit different this time around, with 52 eleven minute long episodes ordered. Sonic and Eggman are confirmed cast members, with Tails, Amy Rose, and Knuckles joining them–in line with our original report from June. The series is aimed toward children 6 through 11. Writer Dave Polsky, who originally talked about the series at Trotcon, was not mentioned in the release.
The full release from Sega is below. We told you so.
Sonic the Hedgehog, the iconic video game character who has brought his trademark speed and attitude to four TV series and more than 70 video games, is returning to television in his first-ever CG animated series in the fall 2014. The action packed comedy series aimed at children 6-11 will debut first on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and on CANAL J and GULLI in France, with a global rollout to follow. The initial order of 52 eleven-minute episodes is co-produced by SEGA of America Inc. and Genao Productions.
Sonic Boom is a character-driven comedy that leaves a trail of robot wreckage in its smoldering wake. The series centers on Sonic, his best friend and sidekick, Tails, their never-ending search for adventure, and their battles with Sonic’s arch-nemesis, Dr. Eggman. Rounding out the ensemble are fan favorites Knuckles and Amy Rose, plus a rogue’s gallery of enemies—some familiar to Sonic fans and some brand-new.
Evan Baily, Donna Friedman Meir, and Jane McGregor, Executive Producers for SEGA, packaged the series, bringing together SEGA, Cartoon Network, and Genao Productions. Sandrine Nguyen and Boris Hertzog, Executive Producers for Genao, assembled a world-class lineup of partners in France, including broadcasters GULLI and CANAL J, Lagardere Entertainment Rights and Lagardère Active TV Licensing & New Business. Baily, Meir and Nguyen developed the series, and Hertzog and McGregor structured the financing and negotiated all the deals. Baily (formerly EVP of Production and Creative Affairs for Classic Media) and Co-Executive Producer Bill Freiberger (The Simpsons, Drawn Together) are showrunners. Takashi Iizuka, the head of Sonic Team and driving creative force behind the Sonic games, is overseeing the series to ensure that it’s true to the Sonic characters and universe.
“Sonic is the star of the SEGA universe and the stage is now set for him to shine like never before. By teaming up with world-class partners in television animation like Cartoon Network, Genao Productions and GULLI, we’re ensuring that the Sonic legacy will be introduced to a new generation of children across the globe,” said Hiroyuki Miyazaki, SEGA’s Chief Content Officer for Sonic.
“We wanted to strengthen our TV channels’ editorial content with strong brands. This is our new objective. Sonic is an enormously popular and unique character with all the qualities of an animation series’ great hero—humor, bravery, loyalty, inventiveness. We are extremely proud to welcome him across our kids and family channels at Lagardère Active and will activate across these channels to raise awareness and excitement for the new series,” said Caroline Cochaux, Head of Programs, Kids & Family Channels, Lagardère Active.
“Genao is thrilled to collaborate with SEGA on this amazing project and embark on new adventures with the fastest hedgehog in the world. It is so exciting to work on such a world-class brand,” said Sandrine Nguyen, Managing Director of Genao.
Emmanuelle Bouilhaguet, Managing Director of Lagardere Entertainment Rights added “It is an amazing experience to be associated to such a powerful property with professional partners. International broadcasters are seeking for strong comedy and franchise based series and Sonic Boom is the perfect fit!”
“On the New Business & Licensing Side, we are proud and excited to handle the representation of Sonic which counts among the leading characters loved by kids. Thanks to our 360° platform which includes Digital Activities, Magazines, Indoor Parks, Grass Root events, we will push Sonic and the Consumer Products to a new level,” said Benoit Roque, Head of Lagardere Active TV Licensing & New Business.
SEGA is actively seeking partners in support of the new series launch across a range of industries including broadcast and licensing. In terms of television and digital distribution, Lagardere Entertainment Rights holds worldwide rights excluding the U.S. and Asia (but including Japan); SEGA Corporation will manage Asia (excluding Japan); Baily, Meir and McGregor will manage the US through McGregor’s company Jane McGregor, Inc. Licensing support will be spearheaded by Lagardère Active TV Licensing & New Business in France and SEGA in all other territories.
Sonic the Hedgehog first appeared as a videogame character in June 1991 and instantly became an icon for a generation of gamers. Defined by his super-fast speed and cool attitude, in the years since he first raced on to videogame consoles Sonic has become a true global phenomenon with over 140 million videogames sold or downloaded worldwide across consoles, PC’s, mobile phones and tablets. SEGA’s iconic blue blur has also gone on to enjoy incredible success in many licensed areas, such as toys, apparel, comics and animation. This year SEGA announced an exciting three title exclusive partnership with Nintendo for the Sonic the Hedgehog videogame franchise. The highly anticipated Sonic Lost World™ will be the first title to launch under this agreement and will be available in stores later this year for Wii U™ and Nintendo 3DS™ platforms.
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I can’t believe how badly Dave Polsky has screwed up Sonic. Based on the above image I predict that the show won’t even last a month. I mean, what kind of stories is Dave Polsky going to tell about Sonic and his new jacket? Come on. There’s nothing interesting about a jacket. And it appears that Tails is holding a metric wrench, not a standard American one. I suppose Polsky did that so that the show would air all over the world. And why did he change Knuckles so drastically. I couldn’t even recognize him.
They idea of setting Sonic in a cave man high school with jackets is just crazy. I don’t want to watch a show that’s all about jackets and high school. It going to be a lame MLP rip off show.
I’m also worried about using these shadow characters. It might be cool at first, but I bet it’s going to get old quickly. And will Dr. Eggman also be a shadow? And why aren’t they showing him? I bet they completely changed his design and they’re afraid for the real fans to see what they’ve done to him. I bet he’ll be the principal of the cave man high school.
And, based on the image, it appears as though all the voices will be different from the game.
Well, I can tell you right now, I won’t be watching. I won’t even sample the show. Based on the image above, I’ve completely made up my mind about it. They should just cancel it now rather than risk upsetting the fans.
Signed.
Former Sonic Fan
*
Kid, please stop complaining. While I do agree Sonic looks really wierd with a jacket, everyone else is fine. If you’re going to be an up tight freak getting upset about what kind of Wrench Tail’s is holding, you need to delete your comments. Knuckles is fine! I personally would have changed Knuckles myself. Knuckles is supposed to be this big and strong looking character, but so far in the past hes just another different colored sonic with knuckles….thats it… Now they made him look strong. He can be intimidating. I can see this guy picking up Rocks and throwing them across football fields. KNUCKLES Needs to look big and strong. So it makes sense, knuckles is fine.
And don’t critize a show until you give it a chance, you’d be a horrible critic dude.
So, you think setting Sonic in a cave man high school is a good idea. I don’t. I think it’s going to ruin the show. Making Dr. Eggman the school principal is going to turn Sonic into Saved By The Bell.
And you certainly can’t think it’s a good idea for Sonic to wear a jacket. Jacket wearing goes against everything Sonic is about. Nothing could be farther from the Sonic universe that wearing a crazy jacket like the one he’s clearly wearing in the image above.
I’m not happy about the new voice cast. I love the voice actors from the game and I think it’s a mistake to recast the entire show. I think Dave Polsky is really ruining things.
Also, it’s very rude and hurtful for you to say I can’t be a critic. Since when do I have to choose a career based on what you think. I think I’d be a good critic. I’ve very critical and exhibit critical thinking, two qualities that a critic needs. I don’t think it’s right for you to get personal and attack me in that way. Not cool.
Former Sonic Fan
You need to realize that the show is STILL in development. They ‘might’ not look like that and the story may be a bit different by the time the show airs on television. Who the hell knows?
Have to wait and see don’t we?
But, hey if you want to abandon ship go right ahead! Nobody is stopping you sweetheart.
WE HAVE A WINNER!
Thank you Manny Medina!
On my side, it looks like it’s going to be a “modern” version of Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog. Fine by me if that’s the case.
Tea,
When you say it’s going to be a “modern” version, what are you basing that on? All of the evidence indicates that they’re cavemen. Didn’t you see the picture above the article? It clearly shows the setting and a bunch of unrecognizable characters, some of whom are even wearing jackets.
Dave Polsky is really ruining Sonic by combining it with MLP and setting it in caveman times. If they’re still developing it, they need a new head writer to fix this. Dave Polsky has done enough damage already. It makes me want to cry every time I see Sonic clearly wearing a jacket. If Dave Polsky loves jackets so much why doesn’t he put them on MLP instead. This is worse than what they did to TMNT. Is Dave Polsky the writer on that one, too?
Based on the above image, I bet the characters are all different colors now, too. Is Sonic green? Will Knuckles be the pink one? And what about Amy Rose, if that really is Amy Rose, I can’t tell because they completely changed her outfit. It doesn’t even look pink anymore.
The true fans won’t stand for this. We don’t like all these changes that are in the picture. We need to do something. And we better do it fast.
Former Sonic Fan
I just noticed that the time portal from Star Trek is in the background. Maybe they’re only in cave man times for one episode. Based on the image, it appears that Sonic and the gang are time travelers. That would explain the jacket. It’s clearly some sort of Star Fleet uniform. I bet Sonic is the captain of a group of time traveling adventurers.
I bet the reason Dr. Eggman isn’t in the picture is because they’re chasing him through time. It looks as though every week, Dr. Eggman shows up in a new time and the gang must track him down using the time portal before he can change history. But just when they catch up to him he zips to another time. This is starting to sound like the best Sonic show ever. How cool would it be to see Sonic in different time periods? It’s kinda like they’re combining Sonic with BTTF, which is one of my favorite movies. I wonder if Michael J. Fox will do a guest voice.
How cool will it be to see Sonic team of with Ben Franklin to stop Dr. Eggman and Benedict Arnold from changing the outcome of the American Revolution. Maybe Michael J. Fox is the voice of Ben Franklin.
This show sounds wicked cool.
Signed,
Sonic Fan Once Again
I can’t believe no one else is excited about the news that this will be a time travel show. Am I the only one who’s excited about the great news?
Sonic Fan Once Again